The feasibility of epidural block for analgesia in labor to reduce the rate of Cesarean section after parturiency

Objective To explore the effect of epidural block for labor analgesia on the rate of Cesarean section after parturiency.Methods We summaried 2,885 pregnant women who gave full-term childbirth in our hospital in the years of 1999 and 2009.We analyzed variation of the rate of epidural block for labor analgesia and Cesarean section.The latter included the variation of the total rate of Cesarean section and of the rate of Cesarean section failing to deliver after parturiency.Results The rate of epidural block for labor analgesia was 17.99％ in 1999 but 51.23％ in 2009.The rate of Cesarean section was 40.80％ in 1999 but 27.81％ in 2009.There were significant differences in the rates of epidural block for labor analgesia and Cesarean section between the two years( P＜ 0.001 ).The rate of Cesarean section failing to deliver after parturiency was 6.78％ in 1999 and 3.78％ in 2009,with a significant difference ( P＜ 0.05 ).The average time to parturiency to Cesarean section and the average degree of cervical dilatation were both increased.The average time to parturiency to Cesarean section was ( 164.11 ± 55.35 ) minutes and the dilation degree was ( 5.3 ± 2.05 ) cm in 1999 while it was ( 284.50 ± 84.66 ) minutes and ( 7.0 ± 1.83 ) cm in 2009,respectively; there was a significant difference between the two years ( P ＜ 0.05 ).The rates of ephalic dystocia and Cesarean section because of social factors were decreased after epidural block for labor analgesia.Conclusions Epidural block for labor analgesia can decrease the rates of Cesarean section and cephalic dystocia. Key words: Epidural block for labor analgesia; Rate of Cesarean section; Rate of Cesarean section after parturiency